Fastener applying implement



April 14, 1936- A. H. MAYNARD FASTENER APPLYING IMPLEMENT Filed Nov. 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 'sheets-sneer 2 Filed Nov. 2, 1935 April 14, 1936. A MAYNARD 2,037,334

FASTENER APPLYING IMPLEMENT Filed Nov. 2, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 14, 1936. A, H MAYNARD 2,037,334

FASTENER APPLYING IMPLEMENT Filed NOV. 2) 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 jing/011390.10

Patented Apr. 14, 1936 Arthur H. Maynard, Warwick, R. I.,

Boston Wire Sttcher Company,

assigner to Portland,

AMaine, a corporation of Maine Application November 2, 1933, Serial No. 696,353

37 Claims.

'I'his 'invention' relates to stapling and wirestitching machines `and particularlyto a handoperated device in the nature of an oiliceapplianceffor use in attaching papers and documents and for other purposes such as stapling tags and labels to articles of commerce.

One object of the invention is to provide an rv. implenierit.j of the type indicated which, while cofiijact in size,

use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated wherein the stapling mechanism is adjustable with respect to vthe clinching means to adapt the implement -to operate on work of average thickness or to beexflnally to be employed as a use of the clinching means. Another object of the invention, isto provide tacker without the adapted to be loaded with asupply of staples at its forward end and y preventing ejection of the staples when the door or gate to the magazine is opened. f

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated having means for resisting the action of the feeding means on the staples while a staple is being applied to the work whereby to relieve the pressure and friction on the staple-driver to insure easier action of the stapling mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device' of the type indicated having automaticallyoperated means for restraining the staple-feeding means from action during a partial stroke of the staple-driver whereby to prevent the feeding of a second staple before the onel previously fed has been applied to the work.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicatedvhaving an improved form of staple-supporter for preventing'the fed staple from dropping out of the machine. e

Another object of the invention is to provide a '5 device cf improved design in accordance with mcdern artistic standards yet simple in construction and adapted for economical methods of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dev'ce of the type indicated which may be constructed with practically all of .its parts stamped from sheet-metal and assembled with a minimum number of rivets, screws, bolts and nuts.

Another object of the invention is to generally 5: improve the efclency of the device and render is. capable of a wide range of` a device of the type indicated having a magazine provided with means' jfor tended to take work 'of .extreme thickness and f i stapling arin broken awayto illustrate the latchl ing means which provides vfor adjusting the position of the .-arm'with respect to the base in acit durable in use over long periods without danger of breakage or damage to its parts.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of constructionv oi the device, by 5 way of example, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig.` 1 is a side elevation of the improved stapling implement showing it adjusted for use as a desk or oiiice appliance; 10 Fig.- 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the same illustrating the stapling arm as adjusted to a height to adapt it-for work of extreme thickness;

Fig. 3 is a'detailed View of the rearward part 15 of the implement showing portionsof the base and .'cqrdance with .vine .tmckness of the work to bev 2 showing the. stapling in longitudinal operated upon;l

Fig."4l isv a front. elevation of the implement arm-*depressed against the Work and illustrating the fore .part of the base in -transverse section 'through the clinching anvil;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the stapling head of the implement taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 2;.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the rear- Ward part of the implement taken on line 6-6 of Fig..2;

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the implement showing the staplingarm in section on line 1-1 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a similar plan view partly in section on 35 line 8 8 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 9. is an enlarged side elevation of the fore part of the implement showing the stapling head section and illustrating the stapling arm as lowered against the work and the 4o driver-lever .partly depressed;

Fig. 10 is asimilar p rt-sectional view showing the driver-lever vfurther depressed inthe act of the device to be used as a tacker;

Fig. 14 is a driver;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the stapleguide which constitutes a part of the stapling arm;

Fig. 16 is a. perspective view of the core for supporting the staples in feeding position in the arm;

Fig. 17 is a view of the stapling arm shown with its forward side partly broken away to illustrate the details of its structure;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the door or gate for the magazine in the stapling arm;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the check-pawl or detent-element for controlling the feed of the staples; and

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the staple-supporter.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the present improved stapling implement comprises three main Darts, namely: a base 2 for mounting the clinching means or anvil; a stapling arm 3 hinged at its rearward end to the base and carrying stapling mechanism at its f orward end for cooperation with the clinching means; and a driver-lever 4 pivoted to the rearward end of the stapling arm and adapted to be swung downwardly with respect thereto to operate the stapling mechanism for driving the staples into the work and clinching their legs on the under side thereof.

As shown rnost clearly in Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 7, the base 2 of the machine is constructed of sheetmetal, stamped or embossed to form a generally fiat rectangular top plate bounded by a depending beveled flange 6. Underlying the top of the base 2 at either end thereof are resilient pads 1 and 3, preferably constructed of rubber or the like and projecting downwardly beyond the rim of the flange 6 to provide feet on which the base rests. The `pads 1 and 8 have metal plates or inserts 3 molded into the rubber and provided with threaded bosses I8 for receiving' screws I I countersunk in holes in the top plate of the base 2, see Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 7. As a convenient and economical form of construction the screws II which fasten the forward pad 1 are also employed for securing the clincher-anvil I5 in position on the base 2.

Referring to Fig. 4, the clincher-anvil I5 consists of a relatively flat strip of hardened metal perspective view of the stapleholes at its ends for receiving the heads of the sc rews II. At its mid portion the top of the pressions 20, the bottoms of which are of arcuate shape to adapt them to receive the legs of the staple as they are driven through the work to clinch them against the under side thereof. In the operation of forming the clincher-grooves 20 the stock of the clincher-plate is forced downwardly in a projecting ridge 2| which seats in a lateral slot 22 in the top of the base 2, see Fig. 2.

Fastened to the top of the base 2 at its rearward end is a hinge-block or mounting 23 for the stapling arm 3. The block 23 may be secured to the base 2 by welding, riveting or other suitable means and its rearward end, which overhangs a rectangular opening 24 in the base, is provided witha transverse hole for receiving a. hinge-pin 25 on which the arm 3 is pivotally mounted. Adjacent the forward end of the block 22 is a circular opening or hole 26 which is reduced in diameter at its upper end where it joins a smaller counterbore 21, thus providing an annular beveled rim or flange 28 projecting radially into the opening. The beveled flange 28 provides a detent-seat for a latch 30, to be later described, which constitutes the means for adapting the stapling arm 3 to be raised above the base 2 in dierent positions of adjustment.

Fastened to the under side of the top plate of the base 2 is a flat lea -spring 35 secured in place at its forward end by means of a stud 36 and nut 31. The top of the base 2 is punched or pierced with an opening 38 with the metal sheared therefrom bent downwardly to form a depending projection or finger 39 which engages through a slot in the rearward end of the spring 35 to restrain the latter from turning on its stud 36. The.

lower rounded end of the latch normally rests against the top of the spring to hold the arm 3 raised in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the spring being adapted to flex to permit the arm to be swung downwardly about its pivot 25 during the stapling opera-tion.

Referring now to Fig. '17, the stapling arm 3 is constructed from a strip of sheet-metal bent or struck up in channel shape with a bottom 4I! and upstanding sides 4I. Fastened to the under side of the arm 3 at its rearward end is a hingemember 42 constructed from sheet-metal bent into inverted trough shape with a main portion 43 and depending sides or flanges 44. /The flanges 44 are formed at their rearward ends with ears 45 pierced with holes for receiving the pivot-pin 25 which connects the arm 3 with the hinge-block or mounting 23. The hinge-member 42 may be secured to the under side of the arm 3 by spot welding, riveting or other suitable means in position to adapt its anges 44 to straddle the hingeblock 23 as shown in Fig. 6. The bottom of the arm 3 is formed at its rearward end with arectangular opening 48 from the forward side of which extends a narrow slot 41. The hingemember 42 also has a corresponding opening 48 and slot 43 registering with the opening 46 and slot 41 in the bottom of the arm 3; the latch 30, previously referred to, being arranged to slide in the slots 41 and 49.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the latch 38 is of right-angular or elbow shape with one arm 3| projecting downwardly through the slots 41 and 49 and formed at its end with a pointed head 32. The head 32 has a beveled shoulder 33 adapted to engage with the under side of the beveled flange 28 on the interior of the hole 26 in the hinge-block 23. The upper arm of the latch 30 is adapted to slide on the bottom of the arm 3, being provided with a notch 34 at its forward extremity for receiving the looped end of a helical spring 50. The opposite end of the spring 50 is anchored to a hook-shaped ear 5I sheared from the metal of the bottom of the arm 3 and bent upwardly as shown in Fig. 17.

It will be understood that the spring 50 tends to slide the latch 38 forwardly to maintain its shoulder 33 engaged with the beveled rim 28 when the arm 3 is raised to the position shown in Fig. 2. thus acting to detain the arm in this position. Normally, however, the weight of the arm 3 causes it to be lowered to the position shown in Fig. 1 with the rounded end of the latch 30 bearing against the top of the spring 35. The last-described position of the arm 3 is its normal one when the device is used as a desk appliance, but for operation on work ofA extreme thickness the arm may be raised into the position shown in Fig. 2. When it is desired to use the implement da,os7,sa4

in the manner of aftacker, f or example; assl'lown: in Fig. 13, the base 2- is turned back into. alinement with the arm 3. This isaccomplished by forcibly swinging the arm-3 awayfrom the base .2te cause the shoulder 3 8 on the latch v38-to ride over the beveled rim28 in the opening 26 ofthe;A

hinge-'block2 3. To return the arm to first position it is only necessary toswing it back on its hinge until theend'of the latchv 38 lrides across the beveled rim 28 in the opening 26,V the slid-l ing action of the latch 38 against the tension of its spring 58 permitting the engagement' and disengagement of its shoulder 33 with the detentrim.

formed with a reentrant opening or slot 52, the rearward end of which is narrowed at 53 to form lateral shoulders 55. Lugs 54 project forwardly from the sides 4| of the arm 3 andare bent ininterior vbeing provided with a-staple-support or .core 68 resting against its bottom wall.

ringjto Fig. 16 ofthedrawings, the staple-core Refer- 68 constructed fromfsheet-metal bent'into inverted channel shape; with a top `6 I and'side walls 62., -The side walle62 are extendeddownwardly atv the forward'end ci the core 68, formingvwings 6 3 which are'prcvided with notches -64 at thein. rearward end vadapted to engage-around theedges f' of the shoulder 55 between the slot 5 2 and its narj rowerportlon53 in thefbottom wall 48 of1the.j '46 arm- 3, s ee Fig. 2. At the rearwardend-'of the@ wardly-projecting lugs 65iwhic'h engage through the rectangular opening 46 in the Wall 48 of the arm 3 and the'corresponding opening 48 in the hinge-member 4.2 when thecorev is seated against the bottom of the arm. With the core iiD-assembled within the sides of the arm 3 in this manner thewing portions/t3 at its forward end project downwardly through itsslct or opening 52 to adapt them to bear against the work to be stapled. The wings 63 extend beyond the forward end of the arm 3 and are stamped or embossed outward- 1y 1:0' form lower projecting faces 68 which prol v vide bearing seats for 'the magazine gate 98, to be later '-described. The embossed or outwardly projecting portions 66 ofthe wings 63 are punched on their inner sides to provide a pair of` rounded projections or ears 68 on their outer faces which serve as detents lfor latching the door or gate 98; it being here noted that the gate closes downv against .the fore part ofthe core 68 to provide a throat orguideway'through which the staples are vdriven into thev work.

.The straplessv are s traddled across the top of .the core.`68 andmeans `are .provided for sliding.

ing legs or flanges 1I straddlingv the sides thereof.

The top of the pusher 18 is extended rearwardly at 12, see Fig. 8, and bent upwardly in a projecv'hooked end. of a helical springVA 15. a '.spring-.aextends forwardly around a roller or The forward end ofthe arm 3 has its bottomtion -13 which is pierced with a'fhole for receiving The" pulley 16 andthen reaches `rearwardly-with*its end anchoredto a 'loop-likemeinber` l11.' The pulley 16 is mounted on a transverse pin 18 held in'holes in the sides of the arm 3, ,while the member 11 engages around a pin\ 19 mounted inthe same manner. As in the usual arrangement .of

'devices of the present type the spring 15 acts to.

Enclosed within the arm 3 is another channely- K shaped member 88, shown in perspective view in Fig. 15, which overlies the staple-core 68 in spaced relation thereto to serve as a guide to prevent the staples from ridingup thereon. The' channelmember or staple-guide 88 is formed with a bottoml wall 8| and upstanding sides 82 which abut the inner faces of the side walls 4I of the arm3.

8| is extended in a pair of lugs 84 which are bent downwardly to rest against the top of the staplecore 68 to hold its rearward .end against the bottom wall 48 of vthe arm 3. The member 88 is narrowed at its forward end to adapt its sides to fit between the inturnedends 56 of the lugs 54, seeFig. 7. The forward end of the member 8 8 is held in spaced relationship above the top ofthe core' 68 by fastening it to the sides of vthe `armV 3 by means of a transverse pin 85 projecting through holes in the arm and member, see F198.; 2 Y?. The p"n 85 serves as the support.-

'and Ainici-um for a hai'y pin-shaped wire spring 86,

s ee Figs.: 2- and "7. employedfor a purpose' as.

"later explained.` I

core `68 its side walls 62 are. formedfwith downf The "twg 'Oppslte legs of the spring 86 'ale i formedwnh `helical coils 81 surroundingv the pm 85"With the rcarwardportions of the legs'curving downwardly' and bearing against the bottom of the channel member 83. The forward U-shaped portion of the spring 86 is narrowed to extend between `the drawn-in sides of the channel-member 88 and its terminal portion bears against the side of a pin 88 extending transversely through slots 89 in the sides of the member. The pin 488 serves as the pivot for the gate 98 to be next described.

Referring to'Fig. 18, the gate 98 is of generally rectangular box-shape having .a from wall 9|, sides *'92 and ears 93 extended upwardly from the sides. The ears 93 are adapted to straddle the. sides of the channel-member 88 .at the forward end thereof and are provided with holes 94l for receiving `the ends of v.the pivot-pin 88. The

sides 92 of the gate 98 are embossed or projected outwardlyio adapt them to t around the embossed faces 66 on the depending wings-83 of the core'68, thereby leaving a space between the sides of the `core and the vinner side walls of the gate to permit the staples vto pass therethrough. ,The

.sides 93 of the gate 98 are cu'.l away at the bot-1 t-om and formed with curved edges 95 adapted to slide across the rounded top of the detent-abutments or ears 68 on the core 68 to cause the latter to seat in notches 93 formed in the sides of the gate. wardly about its pvot 88 the curved edges 95 of its s ides 92 act to cam it upwardly with the pin 88 rising'r in the slots 89 against the tension of the spring 85. After the gate 98 has been closed down with its front wall parallel to the forward end of When the gate 98 is swung downthe core 60 the spring 86 forces it downwardly to engage the notches 96 with the detent-ears 68 to lock the gate in closed position. The front wall 9| of the gate 90 is centrally slotted at 91, for a purpose as later explained, and its sides are knurled at 98 to provide a finger-grip.

In the present invention the means for operating the staple-driver contemplates a novel form of construction with the driver suspended from the operating lever4. The driver-lever 4, previously referred to, is constructed from sheetmetal bent into inverted trough shape with a top wall and sides |06 folded downwardly therefrom. The driver-lever 4 is pivoted on the pin 19, previously referred to, which extends transversely through the sides of the stapling arm 3 and the inner channel-member or staple-guide 80. The rearward portion of the driver-lever 4 is bent cr bowed downwardly to adapt it to overhang and enclose the rearward end of the stapling arm 3 with the lower edges of the side walls |06 projecting into the opening 24 in the top of the base 2, see Figs. 1, 2 and 7. The driver-lever 4 is normally held raised in position as shown in Fig. 1 under the tension of a` hairpin-shaped spring |01 supported from the pivot-pin 18. Enclosing the pin 19 is a bushing |08 having its ends flatted 01T on one side and engaged in similarly shaped holes |09 in the sides 82 of the channel-member 80, see Figs. '7 and 17. The bushing |08 is thus held from turning on the pin 19 while the lever 4 pivots on the projecting ends of the pin. 'I'he rearward side of the bushing |08 is slotted at ||0 to adapt it to receive the straight portion of the loop-member 11,` previously referred to as-constituting an 'anchorage for the pusher-spring 15. The pin 19 has a centrally disposed peripheral groove with which the edge of the rearward portion of the loopmember 11 engages, this construction serving to retain the pin 19 from axial displacement while adapting it to be withdrawn when it is required to disassemble the parts by merely releasing the loop-member 11 from the slot l0 in the bushing |08.

The hairpin spring |01 has its legs coiled about the bushing |08 with the opposite ends thereof extending at an acute angle. The U-shaped portion ||2 of the spring |01 bears against the top wall |05 of Ithe lever 4 while the extremities of its opposite legs I3 are enclosed within the sides of the channel-member 80 resting against the bottom wall thereof, see Fig. 2. The tendency of the spring |01 is therefore to maintain the lever 4 in raised position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upward movement of the lever being limited by the engagement of the rearward portion of its top wall |05 against a pair of abutments ||4 projecting from the inclined edges of the sides 4| of the arm 3, see Fig. 2.

The forward end of the driver-lever 4 is closed by a front wall H5, to the inner face of which is secured a block ||6 forming the suspension means for the staple-driver |00. The block ||6 is riveted, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the front wall H5 of the lever 4 and is provided at its lower end with a rearwardly facing notch ||1 forming a lower lip or lug ||8.

The staple-driver |00 consists in a relatively thin flat plate of hardened metal shown in perspective view in Fig. 14.A Bisecting the driverblade |00 is a vertical slot |0| terminating at the top in a T-slot |02. The T-slot |02 is adapted to receive the lug ||8 on the block ||6 at the forward end of the driver-lever 4 whereby to suspend the'driver 00 therefrom with its lower portion slidably held between the forward end of the staple-core 60 and the rearward face of the front wall 9| of the gate 90, see Figs. 9 to 11. The staple-driver |00 is retained in posi` tion hooked to the lug ||6 by means of a flat leaf-spring abutting the rearward side of the block ||6. The upper portion |2| of the spring |20 is bent at right-angles to underlie the top wall |05 of the lever 4, being secured thereto by any suitable means such, for example, as the screws |22. The screws |22 also serve as a means for fastening in place a hand-rest |25 seated on top of the forward end of the lever 4. Preferably, the hand-rest |25 consists in a block or plate of material such as sold under the trademark bakelite, its under side being recessed to adapt it to fit around the sides and front of the lever 4 and its edges being rounded to provide a smooth finish. It will be observed from the foregoing description that the lever 4 is adapted to be operated by pressing the hand against the rest |25 to cause it to swing downwardly about its pivot 19 to slide the driver |00 down across the front of the staple-core 60 to drive the staples into the work. The downward movement of the driver-lever 4 with respect to the arm 3 is limited by the engagement of its top wall with the lugs 58, previously described as projecting upwardly from the'sides 4| of the arm 3.

Pivotaily mounted within the forward end of the channel-member 80 is a check-pawl or dog which has several functions in connection with the stapling operation. The dog |30 is pivoted on a transverse pin 3| riveted through holes |32 in the sides of the channel-member 80, see Figs. 5 and 15. A pair of bushings |33 surround the pin |3I at either side of the dog |30 to maintain it in central position thereof. As shown in Fig. 19, the dog 130 is constructed from relatively thin hardened sheet-metal with a bird-like contour in outline. The rearward portion of the dog |30 has a head |34 formed with a depending beak |35 sharpened at its end to adapt it to engage between the heads of the staples s straddled across the core 60, see Figs. 9 and 10. At its opposite end the dog 30 has a projecting tail |36 and a depending leg portion |31. The tail |36 of the dog |30 is arranged to project through the vertical slot |0| in the staple-driver |00 and to slide down into the slot 91 in the gate 90. The upper edge of the dog is formed with a rounded protuberance |38 which has a purpose as later explained. 'I'he dog |30 is adapted to be rocked into different positions under the control of a toggle-spring |40.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 9, the spring |40 is of substantially hairpin shape having its forward looped end hooked through a hole or eye |4| in the head of the dog |30 with its opposite legs extending rearwardly therefrom and then bent back at an angle in the reverse portions |42. The end portions of the legs |42 of the spring are bent outwardly to terminate in portions |43 which engage through the narrower ends of pearshaped slots or openings |44 in the sides 82 of the channel-member 80. The arrangement of the toggle-spring is such as to normally hold the dog |30 in the position illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 12 during the descent of the driver |00; but when the tail 'of the dog is engaged by the bottom of the block ||6 on the lever 4 the dog is rocked into the position shown in Fig. 11, whereupon the spring will likewise act to retain it in this position. That is to say, the force of the spring may be applied in either direction across the axis of the pivot |3| so as to hold the dog with its head either raised or lowered.

Located beneath the top wall 6| of the staplecore 60 and projecting outwardly beyond the forward end thereof is a staple-supporter |50 of f unique construction and arrangement. As shown in Fig. 20, the staple-supporter |50 consists of a relatively flat sheet-metal'blade having ears |5| projecting downwardly from its sides at its rearward end kand pierced to receive a transverse pin |52. The rearward extremity of the supporter |50 is bent downwardly in portions |53 conforming to the curve of the ears |5| andA between these curved portions is a lug or ear |54 l bent upwardly at right-angles to the blade. The ear or lug |54 projects upwardly through a slot 61 in the top of the staple-core 60, the forward edge of the slot being beveled as shown at 69.

in Fig. 16. The ear |54 engages across the beveled edge ofthe slot 61 to arrest the forward sliding movement of the supporter to cause its outer end to be released from the staple as the driver |00 reaches the end of its descent, see Fig. l0. The forward end of the staple-supporter |50 is bent upwardly to form an inclined lip |55 for engaging under the head of the staple s. this peculiar form of construction having a particular advantage as later explained.

The staple-supporter |50 is normally held raised against the under side of the top wall 6| of the core 60, see Fig. l2, by means of a spring |60. Referring to Fig. 5, the spring |60 is of hairpin shape with its forward looped end curled downwardly to overlie the periphery of a roller |6| journaled on a transverse pin |62 which is riveted through the sides of the depending wings 63 of the staple-core 60. Rearwardly of its looped portion the opposite legs of the spring |60 are coiled aroundl the pin |52 between the ears |5| of the supporter, see Fig. 5. Through the last-described construction the staple-supporter |50 is mounted to allow its forward end to swing downl wardly with the descentof the staple and also to adapt it to slide rearwardly to permit its forward end lto swing upwardly upon its release from the staple at the end of the stroke of the driver |00. As the supporterv |50 is released from the staple the spring |60 swings it upwardlyinto the position shown in Fig. 1l. During the receding movement of the supporter the curved looped portion of the spring 60 rides back on the roller] 6| with the latter turning to relieve the friction. Then,

when the driver is raised again after the staple has been applied to the work the curved ends of the spring |60 will slide on the roller |6| to project the supporter forwardly until its forward end brings up against the front wall of the gate with the lip |55 in position toreceive the next staple fed off from the core 60, see Fig. 9. The method of operation of the complete device is as next explained.v

The implement is loaded by opening the gate S0 at the forward end of the arm 3 and inserting a strip or stick of attached staples in the form usually supplied as a refill. The knurled sides of the mitting the dog |30 to be rocked downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 under the action of its/ spring |40 toengage its beak |35 with the crossbar kof one'of the staples s vsothat if any staples remain in the magazine they will not be ejected by the force of the pusher l'lil impelled by its spring 15. As the staple-stick or reilll 'is pushed into the magazine with the legs of the staples s straddling the core 60 the dog |30 `acts as a check-pawl by riding over 4the tops of the staples and engaging successively therewith to prevent'them from-being ejected. v

After the staple-stick has been pushed clear into the magazine the gate is closed by swinging ,it downwardly to cause the curved edges of its sides 92 to ride across the top of the detentears 00 with the spring 86 acting to force the gate downwardly to engage its notches 96 with the ears.' As the gate is closed and latched inthis manner it forces the driver |00 back into place against the forward edge ofthe staple-core 60 andithrough the engagement 'of the lower end of the driver with the leg |31 of the dog |30 the latter is swung back into the position shown in Fig. 2,

thereby releasing its beak |35 from the staples to permit the pusher 10 to feed them forwardly. The implement is then ready forv operation.

For general use in attaching papers and the block 23 operating tolimit such upward movement of the arm. For vother classes ofwork such as tacking labels to .boxes thebase 2 is turned back into the position illustrated in Fig.l 13 of the drawings sov that the staple may be driven directly into the vwork without clinching-it on the under side thereof.

` the beveled rim 28 in the opening 26 of the hlnge- With any ofthese methods 'of usethe stapling mechanism is operated by pressing the -handagainst the rest 25 on the driver-levert, It is to be noted that the spring |,01"which holds theleY j `ver 4 raised above the arm `3. is of greater tension than the spring-35 which sustains the arm `in ele4 vated' position. f Consequently. the first pressure of the hand on the rest |25 will cause the arm 3 to be swung .downwardly about its vpivot 25 to seat the forward edges of lthe wings 63 on the. core 60 against the lworkvw. which has previously been laid across the top of the anvil I5 on the base 2, see Fig. 9. As pressure on the hand-rest |25 is continued the driverlever 4 will be swung downwardly about itspivot 19, thereby sliding the staple-driver |00 downward in the throat-like space between the end of the staple-core 60 and the forward'wall 9| of the gate 90; it being understood that the upper edge of the driver engages against the upper side of the slot ||1 in the block 6 to apply the force of the lever to they driver.

Assuming that a staple has been fed oil'. the end of the core 60 into the throat of the gate 90, this staple is held suspended upon the projecting lip |55 of the supporter |50 during the descent of the driver |00. As the driver |00 descends the staple-supporter |50 retains the staple in engagement with its lower edge, the forward end of the supporter swinging downwardly in the manner indicated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. As

the supporter |50 swings downwardly its rearward end slides forwardly on the under side of the staple-core 60, the curved portion of the spring |50 sliding around the roller 0| to eifect this action and the roller being rotated thereby on its Journal |52. As the driver |00 nears the end oi' its descent theear |54 on the supporter |50 brings up against the beveled end 53 of the slot 01 in the core 50, thus preventing any further forward movement of the supporter. Consequently, the further forward movement of the supporter will cause its forward end to be withdrawn from under the staple at the completion of the driving operation.

'I'he upwardly inclined lip |55 at the forward end of the supporter |50 is provided for the purpose of applying a frictional force to the head of the staple to prevent the latter from rocking to cant its legs rearwardly during the ilrst portion of its descent. That is to say, as the staplesupporter |50 slides forwardly during its downward swinging movement its angular lip |55 tends to push against the under side of the staple to hold its legs against the front wall of the gate 00 to prevent them from canting rearwardly. 'I'he staple is thus maintained in its proper course during `the driving operation whereby to eliminate the danger of its legs becoming misalined with the'driver to thereby jam and clog the machine.

During the greater part of the descent of the driver |00 the check-pawl or dog |30 remains in the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 with its beak |35 engaged with the crossbar of one of the staples s in the series straddled across the core 50 so that the pressure of the staple-pusher 10 on the staples is resisted to prevent the forward staple from binding against the driver to retard its motion; the thickness of the driver being slightly less than that of the staple. It has been found that a difference in thickness of the staple and its driver to provide a clearance of less than one thousandth of an inch is effective to prevent the forward staple from binding against the face of the driver. In this way the driver is relieved of the friction of the foremost staple against its rearward side and therefore its action is rendered easier so that less pressure is required on the lever 4. This feature of improvement makes for a much easier action of the stapling mechanism without chance of the parts binding or stickingl as is frequently the case in previously used devices of the present type.

As the downward movement of the lever 4 is continued the lower edge of the block ||6 at its forward end eventually engages with the rounded protuberance |30 on the end of the tail |36 on the dog 30, see Fig. 10, to rock the latter on its pivot |3| until the direction of force of the spring |40 is reversed to carry the dog into the position shown in Fig. l1. The dog |30 clicks into the position shown in Fig. 11 at the end of the stroke of the driver |00 in completing the operation of driving the staple into the work and clinohing its legs on the under side thereof.`

Then, as pressure is released on the hand-rest |25, the lever 4 will be swung upwardly by its spring |01 and thereafter the arm 3 will be raised by its spring 35 into the position shown in Fig. 1.

As the lever 4 is swung upwardly it retracts the driver |00 until its lower edge is raised above the top of the staple-core 50, whereupon the staple-pusher 10 functions to feed another staple into the throat of the gate 90. It will be understood that as the staple-driving operation is completed the lip |55 on the supporter |50 is released from the staple and the supporter is then swung upwardly by its spring |00 into the position shown in Fig. 11. 'As the supporter swings upwardly it slides rearwardly with the curved end of the spring |60 riding across the top of the roller |0|. Then after the driver |00 has ascended the curved end of the spring |60 rides forwardly on the roll |0| to automatically draw the staple-supporter forwardly to project its lip |55 beneath the driver in position to support the next staple fed off from the core 80.

The dog |30 remains in the position illustrated in Fig. 11 until the staple-driver |00 has been raised sufficiently to engage the bottom of its slot 0| with the tail |36 on the dog, whereupon the latter is rocked back across center and the togglespring |40 carries it into the position shown in the leg I 31 of the dog |30 and the toggle-spring |40 comes into action to rock the dog into the position shown in Fig. 9 to carry its beak |35 into engagement with the crossbar of one of the staples s on the core 50 to hold the staples against the pressure of the pusher 10.

It has been stated that the dog |30 has more than one function and it will now be explained howv this element acts to detain the return of the driver |00 to prevent thefeeding of a second staple until vthe previously fed staple has been applied to the work. After the dog |30 has been rocked downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 9 with itsy leg |31 projecting through the slot |0| in the driver |00 it is not released from this position until the driver has descended nearly to the full extent of its downward movement. As indicated in Fig. 10, the bottom of the block ||6 on the lever 4 does not engage the end of the tail |36 on the dog 30 until the driver has nearly reached the end of its downward stroke and even though the dog may be rocked to some extent thereafter it will not be carried into position to cause the toggle-spring |40 to throw it across center until the staple is partly driven into the work. Consequently, while the dog |30 remains in the position shown in Fig. 10 its leg |31 will act as a pawl or detent to prevent the driver |00 from rising to a point where its lower edge is above the top of the staple-core 60. In other words, unless the operator makes a full stroke before releasing the lever 4 the driver |00 will be detained in its upward movement by the end of `lts slot |0| engaging against the leg |31 on the dog |30. In this way, the driver is controllnri to prevent it from releasing the foremost staple on. the end of the core 60 to allow it to be ies forwarf"y until the previously fed staple has been applied to the work.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly efcient device of the type indicated which is adapted to a wide range of use for attaching papers, stapling tags and tickets to various articles of commerce and also for fastening articles to other objects.

The stapling mechanism is simple ln construction, proof against derangement or getting out of order and durable in use over long periods.

(lli

aos'assmy the inventio means the pressure on the staple-driver and thereby render the implement more convenient of operation with less exertion. The invention also provides against clogging of the staples in the implement to interfere with its operation or injure the parts through the means which prevent the feeding. of a secondstaple before the one previously fed has been applied to the work.

The improved device besidesbeing simple in construction and ornamental in appearance is light in weight and compact in size thus rendering it more convenient in use either'as a desk implement or for other purposes.

While the invention is herein illustrated and described as embodied in a preferred form of ccnstruction for use with wire staples, it is to be understood that modifications maybe made in,

.the structure and arrangement of the parts of e its mechanismtogadapt" it'ffor'applying other types of fasteners without spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting-myself in this respect, I claim:

1.1m an implement of thetype indicated', the

retaining the driver `in hooked connection with the lever.

" abre with-respect to the arm,

of the lever, a staple-driver slidable in theguide 2. In an implement of fthe type indicated, the combination of a stapling arm having a guideway for receiving a staple, me'ans for successively feeding staples into the guideway, a driver-lever mova lug `at `the end with an opening at itsupper the lug on the lever, and a Way and formed end for engaging leaf spring bearingagainstv the lug toretainv the driver in connection with the lever.

3. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a base, an. arm hinged to said base, fastener-applying means carried by the arm, and yieldable means for restricting the upward movement of the arm when itis raisedto alimited extent above the base, said means being releasable to permit the arm to be raised vbeyond its normal limit to adapt the implement to operate on work of extreme thickness.

4. In an implement of they type indicated, the

combination of a base, an arm hinged tosaid base, fastener-applying means carried by the arm, means for normally maintaining the arm in raised position with respect to the base, and detent-means for limiting lthe upwardl movement of the arm with respect to the base, said` detentmeans being releasable toadaptvthe 'arm tobe swung to extreme position with respect to :the

base.

5. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination o-f a base, an arm hinged tosaid base, fastener-applying means carried by said arm, resilient means for maintaining the arm normally in raised position with respect to the base while adapting it to be lowered thereagainst, detent-means for limiting the upward movement of the arm.' and resilient means for operating the detent-means to adapt it to be rethe feed of the staples` during the stapling operation so' 'as to relieve departing from the 7 leased to.` allow the arm'to be -swungbackin substantially alined relationship with lthe base.

6; In an implement of the-type indicated, the .combination of a base, an arm hinged to said base., fastener-applyingmeans on the arm, resilient means for maintaining the 4arm in raised position with respect to the base, a detent-la'tch,4 v means engageable by the latch to limit the upward movement of the arm with-respect to the base, and a spring forv operating the latch to adapt it to lbe released to. allow the arm'to be swung back into substantial alinement with the base.

7. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a base, an arm hinged to the base, fastener-applying means carried by the `arm, a spring on the base', a latch on the arm cooperating with the spring to maintain the arm normally raised with respect to the base, detent-means on the base for engaging the latch to limit the upward movement of the-arm, and a spring for operating the latch to releasably retain it-in engagement with the detent-means.

8. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination-of` a base, an arm hinged to said base, fastener-applying means carried by the arm, a spring on the-base, a latch slidable on the arm andv adapted to engage the-spring to maintain. the arm in raised position with respect to the base, detent-means on the base, and a spring for sliding the latch to engage it with the detent-means to limit the upward movement of the arm with respect to the base.

9. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a base bounded by a flanged rim, said base formed with an opening. a leaf spring secured on the under side of the base, an

arm hinged to saidbase, fastener-applying meansV carried by the arm, and means on the arm projecting through the opening in the base to bear against the spring to maintain the arm normally in raised position while adapting it to be rocked .downwardly toward the base.

10. In an implement of the type indicated,the combination of a, channel-shapedarm having a bottom wall and upstanding sides, said bottom v,wall formed with an" opening, a channel-shaped core enclosed within the sides of the arm and provided with lugs onl its sides projecting through the opening in the bottom wall of thearm, said core formed with notches at its forward end engaging' the forward edge of the bottom wall of the arm to secure Vthe core in placel therein,

means for feeding fasteners along. the core in -.the arm, and'means `for applyingv the fasteners to the work. ,Y

11. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a `channel-shaped arm having a bottom wall and upstanding sides. said arm formed with an opening in its bottom wall, a staple-core of inverted trough-shape arranged within the arm and provided with lugs on its sides engaging the opening in the bottom of the arm, said'core formed with wings projecting downwardly from its sides at its forward end and provided with slots for engaging the edge of the .bottom wall of the arm, means for feeding staples along thecore in the arm, and means for applying the staples to the work.

12.1In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a base, a channel-shaped arm pivoted to the base, fastener-applying mechanism carried by said arm, a lever of inverted trough shape -pivotally mounted with respect to it to swing upwardly the arm and arranged with its side walls overlapping thc sides of the arm and enclosing the latter throughout its length, said lever being formed with a depending portion at its rearward end overlapping the rearward end of the arm, and means for connecting said lever to operate the fastener-applying mechanism.

13. In an implement of the type indicated, the

combination of a base, an arm hinged to the base,

fastener-applying mechanism carried by said arm, a lever of inverted trough shape arranged with its ,sides enclosing the sides of the arm throughout the length of the latter and pivoted thereto, the rearward end of said lever being inclined downwardly at an angle to its main portion to overhang the end of the arm, and means for connecting said lever to operate the fastener-applying mechanism.

14. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a channel-shaped arm, a channel-shaped staple-core enclosed within the sides of the arm and secured to the bottom wall thereof, a trough-shaped staple-guide having its side walls extending in the opposite direction from the side walls of the staple-core and arranged above the latter with its bottom wall in spaced relation thereto, means for feeding staples along the core beneath the staple-guide, means for driving the staples into the work, and means for operating the staple-driving means.

15. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a channel-shaped arm, a channelshaped staple-core extending longitudinally between the sides of the arm, a trough-shaped staple-guide extending above the staple-cote in spaced relation thereto, a staple-driver, means for feeding staples on the core to deliver them successively to the driver, a driver-lever of chan- 'nel shape arranged with its sides overlapping and enclosing the sides of the arm throughout its length and pivoted thereto, and means connecting the lever to operate the staple-driver.

16. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of means forming a guideway for receiving a staple, a, staple-driver reciprocable in said guideway, a staple-supporter projecting beneath the driver to support a staple fed into the guideway, means for mounting said supporter to adapt it to swing downwardly during the descent of the driver and to move'rearwardly to allow when released from the staple, and a spring for maintaining said supporter in elevated position, said spring movable rearwardly with the supporter and adapted to advance the latter into position beneath the driver when the latter is raised in the guideway.

17. In a stapling or wire-stitching mechanism, the combination of means forming a guideway for receiving a staple, a driver reciprocable in said guideway to drive the staple into the work, means for actuating the driver,` a staple-supporter slidable across the guideway to project its end beneath the staple and adapted to swing downwardly with the descent of the driver, a spring mounted on the supporter, and an abutment engaged by the end of the spring to force the supporter upwardly, said spring being adapted to ride over the abutment as the supporter is raised after its release from the staple to pry the supporter forwardly after the ascent of the driver to insert it beneath the staple fed into the guideway.

18. In a stapling or wire-stitching mechanism, the combination oi a staple-core, a staple-driver reciprocable across the end of the core, means for feeding the staples to deliver them successively beneath the driver, a staple-supporter slidable longitudinally of the core to project its end-beneath the staple-driver, a bifurcated spring carried by the supporter with one of its portions bearing against the under side thereof and its opposite portion extending at an angle thereto and curved downwardly at its end, and a roller engaging the curved end of the spring to adapt it to ride thereover as the supporter is retracted at the end of the descent of the driver and to shift said supporter forwardly after the driver has been raised above the staple-core.

19. In a stapling or wire-stitching mechanism, the combination of a stap1eoore, a staple-driver reciprocable across the end of said core, means for feeding the staples on the core to successively deliver them beneath the driver, means for actuating the driver, va staple-supporter slidable with respect to the staple-core to project its end beneath the staple-driver, a pin extending laterally cf the supporter, a blfurcated spring mounted on said pin with one of its portions bearing against the under side of the supporter and its opposite portion extending downwardly and curved at its end, and a roller engaging the curved portion of the spring to cause the latter to maintain the supporter in raised position while adapting it to swing downwardly with the descent of the drivcr, said roller also tending to cause the spring to ride forwardly thereover to project the supporter beneath the driver when the latter is raised above the staple-core. A

20. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable across the end of the magazine for driving the fasteners into the work, means for actuating the driver, pusher-means for feeding the fasteners from the magazine tothe driver, and detent-means for resisting the action of the pusher-means during the operative stroke of the driver to relieve the pressure of the fasteners thereagainst.

21. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable across the end of the magazine for applying the fasteners to the work, means for operating the driver, pushermeans for feeding the fasteners in the magazine to deliver them successively to the driver, and detent-means engageable with the fasteners during the operation of the driver to relieve their` pressure thereagainst, said detent-means being released at the end of the descent of the driver to permit the feeding of a fastener after the driver returns to inoperative position.

f 22. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable across the end of the magazine for applying the fasteners to the work, pusher-means for feeding the fasteners in the magazine to deliver them successively to the driver, detent-means for preventing the feeding of the fasteners during the operative stroke of the driver, and means for releasing said detentmeans to permit the feeding of a fastener into driving position upon the return of the driver to inoperative position.

23. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable across the end of the magazine to drive the fasteners into the work, means slidable in the magazine for feeding the fasteners to deliver them successively to the them from feeding, a spring acting to maintain said pawl in either engaged or rel'eased position, and means operative to cause the pawl to be shifted into engagement with the fasteners at thebeginning of the descent of the driver and to be released from engagement with the fasteners at the end of the operative stroke`of the driver.

25. In an implement of the type indicated, the

combination of a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a slotted driver reciprocable with respect to the magazine, means for feeding the fasteners in the magazine to deliver them successively to the driver, a pawl rockable to engage the fasteners to prevent their feeding movement and having a tailpiece projecting through the slot in the driver, and a spring for maintaining the pawl in engagement with the fasteners during the descent of the driver, the tailpiece on the pawl being engageable to rock the latter to release it from engagement with the fasteners at the end ofthe descent of the driver. l

26. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable with respect to the magazine and formed with a longitudinal slot, means for feeding the fasteners in the magazine to successively deliver them to the driver, a pawl rockable to engage the fasteners to prevent their feeding motion and having a portion extending throughthe slot in the driver, and a spring for maintaining the pawl in engagement with the fasteners, said pawl being actuated at the beginning of the descent of the driver to engage it with the fasteners and at the end of the descent of the driver to release it from the fasteners.

27. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable with respect to the magazine and formed with a longitudinal slot, means for feeding the fasteners in the magazine to successively deliver them to the driver, a pawl rockable to engage the fasteners to prevent them from feeding and having a portion extending through the slot in the driver, and a spring for maintaining the pawl either engaged with or disengaged' from the fasteners, the portion of the pawl projecting through the slot in the driver being engageable to rock the pawlto release it from the4 fasteners at the end of the descent of the driver and also engageable with the end of the slot in the driver during the ascent of the latter to rock the pawl into position to effect its reengagement with the fasteners under the action of its spring as the driver starts to descend.

28. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver for appyling the fasteners to the work, means for feeding the fasteners to deliver them successively to the driver, and a dog movable into position to prevent the return of the driver after an incomplete stroke of the latter and shifted from such position when the driver reaches the end of its downward stroke,

said dog being actuated during the downward stroke of the driver to engage it with the fasteners in the magazine to prevent them from being urged forward againstv the face of the driver.

29. Invan implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver for driving the fasteners into the work, means for feeding the fasteners to deliver them successively to the driver, a dog pivoted to directly engage the driver to prevent its full return movement, means movable with the driver to release the dog when the driver makes a complete stroke,v and a spring having one end fixed and its opposite end connected with the dog, said spring being adapted to actuate the dog with a;

snap action when its end connected to the dog is shifted across a plane common to the axis of the dog and the opposite fixed end'of the spring.

30. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver for driving the fasteners into the work, said driver formed with a slot extending in the direction of its movement, means for feeding the fasteners to successively deliver them beneath the driver, a pivoted dog having a portion adapted to engage the end of the slot in the driver to prevent its full return movement, means operative at the end of the downward `stroke of the driver to shift the dog, and a spring operative to continue the movement of the dog to carry it into position to permit the return of the driver.

31. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a magazine for containing a supply of fasteners, a driver reciprocable with respect to the magazine and formed with a longitudinal slot, a dog rockable to engage the fasteners to prevent their feeding motion, said dog having a portion projecting through the slot in the driver, a spring for controlling the position of the dog, means operative during the vdescent of the driver to shift the dog to engage it with the fasteners and to position it to engage the end of the slot in the driver to prevent the return of the latter, and means operative at the end of the stroke of the driver to shift the dog into position to' permit return of the driver.

32. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a staple-driver, a staple-supporter projecting beneath the driver to support a staple being driven thereby, means for mounting the staple-supporter to adapt it to slide forward bo l ily with its forward end swinging downwardly during the descent of the driver, and means to` limit the forward movement of the supporter to cause its end to be withdrawn from the staple as the driver reaches the end of its descent.

33. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of means forming a guideway for receiving a staple, a staple-driver reciprocable in said guideway, a staple-supporter arranged with its forward end projectins1r into, the guideway beneath the driver, means for mounting said supporter to adapt it to slide forward bodily with its forward end swinging downwardly with the staple, and means to limit the sliding movement of the supporter to cause its forward end to be released from the staple.

34. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a staple-driver, a staple-supporter adapted to project beneath the driver to support a staple being driven thereby, means for mounting said supporter to adapt it to slide forward bodily and to swing downwardly during the descent of the driver. means for sliding the supporter, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the supporter to cause its end to be withdrawn from beneath the 'staple at the end of the stroke of the driver.

35. In an implement of the type indicated, the

combination of a staple-driver, a staple-support- 36. In an implement of the type indicated, the

combination of means providing a guideway for receiving a staple. a staple-driver reciprocable in said guideway, a staple-supporter projecting beneath the driver and formed to engage beneath the head of a staple being driven by the driver,

means for mounting the supporter to adapt its forward end to swing downwardly with the driver, and means to slide the supporter forwardly during its swinging movement to cause its forward end to exert a force on the staple tending to prevent its legs from rocking or canting rearwardly.

37. In an implement of the type indicated, the combination of a base, a channel-shaped arm hinged to said base, fastener-applying means carried at the forward end of the arm, a lever of inverted trough-shape pivotally connected to the rearward end of said arm in overlying relation thereto with its sides overlapping the sides of the arm and enclosing the latter throughout its whole length, said lever having a lateral wall at its forward end adjacent to and enclosing the end of the arm, a hand-rest at the forward end of said lever directly above the fastener-applying means, and means for connecting the lever to operate the fastener-applying means.

ARTHUR H. MAYNARD. 

